The Mouthpiece
Flabbergastation! – Howard Stops Wilson – Conquest Conquers Denierio
By: George H. Hanson Jr., Esq.
Date: March 1, 2019
Venue: Xcite Center, Parx Casino – Bensalem, PA
Promoters: Joe Hand Promotions in Association with BAM Boxing
Ring Announcer: Alex Barbosa
Referees: Shawn Clark & Eric Dali
Photos: www.christoneyphoto.com
Decked out in Kente cloth trunks, former USBA & Pennsylvania State Cruiserweight Champion Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson (18 wins – 15 losses – 1 draw – 9 kos) of Philadelphia made his way into the ring to face the awaiting Brian “MVP” Howard (13 wins – 2 losses – 0 draws – 10 kos) of Loganville, Georgia now fighting out of the Fast Lane Boxing Gym in West Philadelphia for their scheduled eight-round main event. Referee Dali gave the instructions and the boxers strolled back to their respective corners, handlers in tow and the gong sounded to commence the festivities.
Wilson came out the gate, gloves high, hell-bent on engaging his adversary in a war of attrition – toe-to-toe warfare. Howard at 6 feet 2 inches used his six-inch height advantage and reach to keep Wilson at bay probing for an opening. And as Wilson was dipping to his right, Howard uncorked a lethal right that landed on The Ultimate Warrior’s left ear sending him to the canvas – his equilibrium discombobulated. Somehow, Wilson made it to his feet as referee Dali tolled eight asking him to take a few steps forward to determine his fitness to continue. It is safe to assume that given Wilson’s toughness and rock-iron chin, Dali was lenient in his decision – allowing the fight to resume.
Showing incredible recuperative power, Wilson continued his forward march with Howard boxing smartly, knowing that a hurt fighter is dangerous. Howard circled using his jab taking his time searching for another opening to unload the heavy artillery. Howard threw two slow jabs followed immediately by a laser-like straight right that ricocheted off Wilson cranium sending him sprawling on his back – for two seconds before attempting to rise as the referee signaled the end of the bout – the entire audience flabbergasted unaccustomed to Wilson being retired on the canvas. It was an impressive display of the sweet science by Howard who fought the perfect fight being declared the winner by knockout at 2:31 of the first round.
In the opening bout of the night, middleweight Ismael “Maelo” Villarreal (4 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Bronx, New York won by technical knockout at 2:36 of the third round of a scheduled four-rounder against cross-town rival Lashawn “The Rhino” Alcocks (1 win – 4 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) of Queens, New York. The opening stanza was the traditional feeling-out round with Villarreal landing one good straight right. The action heated up in the second round with Villarreal switching to the southpaw stance – pinning Alcocks in the corner – drilling him to the head and body with hard shots – beating him from pillar to post until the bell.
In the third round Villarreal walked straight to Alcocks – dropping him with a hard right hand. Alcocks made it to a standing position as referee Dali tolled the count of eight and motioned for the action to resume. The action continued and Alcocks was finally forced into a corner where Villarreal wouldn’t allow him to escape, hitting him with combinations until Dali jumped in and called a halt declaring him the winner by technical knockout.
Debuting Northeast Philly junior-welterweight Tyhler “The Black Mamba” Williams needed just 1:45 of the second round to dismiss Nyrome Lynch (0 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws) of North Philadelphia. Williams attacked the body at the opening bell as Lynch bounced around the ring trying to evade punishment – jabbing while on the move. The Black Mamba cornered his nemesis and bombarded him with every punch from his arsenal forcing referee Dali to rescue Lynch from serious harm. Williams was declared the victor by technical knockout at 1:45 of the second round.
In a battle of southpaws, Philly lightweight Jerome “The Conqueror” Conquest (9 wins – 3 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) returned to action after an almost one-year hiatus against rough and rugged Vinnie Denierio (3 wins – 5 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Elmira, New York in a scheduled six-rounder. The Philadelphian showed little or no ring rust as he had a good time playing to the crowd while out-boxing Denierio who just couldn’t solve the Conquest conundrum. The rounds were identical with Conquest dominating the action, showboating and barking after every punch. It didn’t matter what he did because he was in a zone displaying his wares – reminding everyone that he was back. When it was over one judge had it 60-54 while the other two had it 59-55 all for Conquest who captured the USBF North American Lightweight Title.
Twenty-one year-old super-middleweight Omar Kabary Salem (7 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 3 kos) of Brooklyn, New York dismissed and disposed of Jacob “The Ghost Warrior” Fox (3 wins – 7 losses – 0 draws – 2 kos) of Fort Yates, North Dakota at 2:27 of the opening stanza of their scheduled four-rounder – winning by technical knockout. The Ghost Warrior never stood much of a chance as Salem drilled him early with combinations – beating him around the ring. There was little doubt that this fight wasn’t going to make it to the second round. Salem dominated and sent Fox to the canvas with a combination. Surprisingly, Fox made it to his feet at the count of seven and referee Clark allowed him to continue. Seizing the moment Salem hopped on Fox like a thirsty wino that just discovered a bottle of Jack Daniels. Referee Clark ended the one-sided fight allowing Fox to finish on his feet.
Southpaw junior-middleweight Sammy “The Bull” Berman (1 win –0 losses – 0 draws – 1 ko) of Collegeville, Pennsylvania won a four-round unanimous decision by scores of 40-36 twice and 39-37 over Corey “The Thoroughbred” Weekley (0 wins – 1 loss – 0 draws) of North Philadelphia. The fan-favorite Berman pressed the action attacking the body – forcing Weekley to fight back at his pace. Weekly lost his mouthpiece once in the third stanza and was penalized a point for losing it twice in the fourth round. It was a good tactical win for the talented Berman and a good showing by Weekley who was competitive every step of the way.
In arguably the most competitive and entertaining fight of the night, junior-welterweight Daiyann Butt (2 wins – 0 losses – 0 draws – 0 kos) of Haverford, Pennsylvania scored a technical knockout at 2:22 of the final round of a scheduled four-rounder against tough and talented, debuting Tyree Arnold. The twenty-one year-old Butt used his height and reach to outbox the thirty year-old Arnold who fought courageously every round. Butt showed much patience by digging to the body round after round as the much shorter Arnold stood his ground and fought back – landing some hard shots. It was a heated battle with Butt getting the better of the exchanges with Arnold fighting back just when you thought he was about to succumb. The third round was close as they exchanged on even terms. Arnold came out blazing for the first twenty seconds of the fourth stanza however Butt kept his cool – used his jab then caught Arnold with a left hook that froze him in his tracks. Arnold’s mouthpiece went flying across the ring and Butt seized the moment landing a vicious combination forcing referee Dali to bring an end to the four-rounder.
It was another exciting night of the sweet science at Parx Casino. Bryant Howard accomplished the once inconceivable – stopping Garrett “The Ultimate Warrior” Wilson in the first round. Maybe the Fat Lady is clearing her throat on Wilson’s colorful career filled with many highlights and trademark knockout wins.
Continue to support the sweet science, and remember, always carry your mouthpiece!
ghanson3@hotmail.com
